Rapid Roger Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 I happened to use this jig yesterday and thought that it might be of interest to others that make picture frames or small frames for other uses. I found the plans in a magazine several years ago and it has turned out to be a very handy thing for me over the years so, I'll pass it on. As you can see, it clamps all four corners at once using only one clamp and makes for easy, quick glue-up. . Hope this helps someone sometime. Rog 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Well, that is pretty slick. I have to try that. Thanks for the post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgreenb Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Very cool. I'm making a bunch of picture frames for Xmas this year, I'm definitely going to build that jig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardA Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Wow, it doesn't have to be just picture frames! You can use it for cabinet doors, cabinet bases, pulling together the top for a table [ with extra clamping] there are a ton of uses you can come with for a jig like this. Thank's, This falls in the category if KISS....Keep it simple stupid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted October 29, 2014 Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Very nice. I presume the corner pieces are self centering?. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted October 29, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2014 Richard, I'm a firm believer in the KISS method for so many things. It seems that people think it needs to be complicated to work. I also believe in the SWAG method for building things (Scientific Wild @$$ Guess) Yes it can be used for cabinet doors also. The only thing is you need to put the two center pieces on the other side of the bars to have clearance for the clamp with a panel installed. Hence the use of wing nuts for quick easy adjustments. Terry, Yes, all the bolts with wing nuts are kept "just snug" if not a bit loose so that everything is self centering and one clamp will cause everything to pull in toward the center giving equal pressure all around. By relocating the corner pieces this jig covers a wide range of frames. You could make your jig with longer legs and get really crazy with it. The frame shown in the photo measured about 12" x 14" OS dimensions and I have made frames as large as 18" x 24" with this same set-up and used a longer clamp to pull it tight. If anyone does build one of these jigs, be sure to put on a heavy coat of wax on every piece of the jig. Not only for ease of movement but, if you should glue the jig to your frame, it makes it hard to hang the frame on the wall. Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Roger, does this jig work well for keeping the miters from slipping as pressure is applied? Seems like no matter how perfect I cut miters for a frame, the always end up just a bit out of kilter when the glue has set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted October 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 Roger, does this jig work well for keeping the miters from slipping as pressure is applied? Seems like no matter how perfect I cut miters for a frame, the always end up just a bit out of kilter when the glue has set. ABSOLUTELY! If you take your time, do a dry run with the frame in place, loosen just enough to take the pieces out for applying the glue and then re install the pieces in the same places, you can hardly miss! I will watch the corners as I apply pressure with the clamp and make any slight adjustments if necessary and then GLOMP it down on the pressure! The corner blocks provide equal pressure from every direction all at the same time so BOB IS YOUR UNCLE! Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimV Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 I made one just like it years ago and have used it for countless frames. It works great. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted October 30, 2014 Report Share Posted October 30, 2014 I decided to make a couple after my urn project. There I used a jig with wedges and it worked super duper but the one posted above is adjustable for many different sizes and shapes. - sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob493 Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Wow what a great idea! Simple and effective, very very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted November 1, 2014 Report Share Posted November 1, 2014 Super jig Rog! I have a few frames coming up and will have to give this a try! Thanks for posting it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mcc@u5land Posted January 16, 2015 Report Share Posted January 16, 2015 I built the same jig a few years ago as well. It works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResidentEvil Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 I built this style of jig a couple weeks ago and just can't get it to work right. It's probably user error but have a hard time getting miters to tighten up, and vertical slippage. Went back to the trusty four parallel clamp method and got everything to come together fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 Anybody ever try to swap the center blocks to the under side in order to clamp something that does not have an open center? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwacker Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 I would just use Hoffmann keys. Just buy the bit from a cmt dealer for 1/3 the cost and use your router table. Clamping miters is a drag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted January 28, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 ResidentEvil and C Shaffer, Please go back up this thread and re-read my two follow up posts. This is NOT an "end all" jig so some time with adjustment before glue-up is required as I mentioned. If you take your time with a dry fit and just loosen the jig enough to remove one piece at a time to apply glue and watch each corner as you slowly pull it tight once all corners are glued, it is just easier and quicker than anything else I've tried. And C, yes, you can bolt the corner pieces on either side of the jig. In fact if you use it on a paneled frame, you HAVE to rearrange things for clearance. And you can move the corner pieces to any hole along the legs BUT make sure that all four spacing's are equal for even pull at each corner with the single clamp. Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Rog, respectfully, I read "you can." I asked "have you." I am finding with an aluminum variant that it lacks three dimensional stability. I am needing to brace it when using the blocks on opposite sides of the jig. This is not a huge deal but I thought I'd ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Just made me one. Thanks Rog for posting and I'm glad it came back up because I don't remember seeing it back in Oct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ResidentEvil Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 I wasn't complaining at you roger. I've been thinking about making this jig for awhile now and finally did it. So no offense towards you was intended. I did try it several times and did what you recommended, but still had issues with my miters pulling together tight and with them slipping a bit vertically out of line. I'm guessing its more operator error. Either with my jig construction or miter cutting. Just had an easier time using the parallel clamps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Rog, I revised yours to eliminate the clamp when there is a panel involved. Thanks again for your idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rapid Roger Posted February 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 Clamp looks good! That is a different idea on pulling things tight. Seems like you are going to be doing a lot of screwing though. You might try another idea and rob a screw out of an old wooden clamp that has a left and right thread so that it pulls things together in an equal way from both directions. I just think the clamp I use make things a lot faster. Rog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 3, 2015 Report Share Posted February 3, 2015 I definitely like using the clamp, this just eliminates putting it underneath when there is a panel inside the frame Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick A McQuay Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Use a cordless drill in that threaded rod. - Rick M, sent via Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coop Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 McQ, Once the frame and panel are in place, it just takes about 3 turns to snug it up. And by using the little handle, you can back off a smidge if need be to adjust the miters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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